Mixed grille

Jump for joy

A recent decision to buy a 2004 BMW X5 demonstrator at a Sydney dealer was not based on the colour, cost of satellite navigation or whether baby seats would fit in the back. The deal clincher was whether the customer's golden retriever dog could make the jump onto the off-roader's tailgate and into the back of the vehicle. After a few false starts, the pet finally leapt into the back of the X5, much to the delight of the customer and especially the salesman.

On top of the world

The first real go at creating an international car of the year award materialised at the recent Toronto motor show, when 48 journalists from 16 countries participated in voting the new Audi A6 as World Car of the Year. Porsche's latest-generation 911 Cabriolet and the Volvo S40 sedan were runners up. What, no Ford Territory?

Heavyweight penalty

A US legislator has proposed that heavy utility and off-road vehicles weighing more than approximately 2.7 tonnes be charged an extra $US750 ($950) for registration. Maryland delegate Bill Bronrott justifies the slug by saying vehicles such as the Lincoln Navigator and Hummer H2 are the least fuel-efficient and the most toxic to air, land, and water.

Scam trio jailed

Three men have been jailed for their part in a scam in which more than 3000 vehicles from nine Brisbane car dealerships were issued with false roadworthy certificates. For nearly a year, the men operated three inspection stations to issue roadworthy certificates. Approval for the stations and the official documentation was arranged by allegedly bribing a Queensland Transport employee who also faces court. The stations issued certificates without safety inspections carried out. The cars were then put up for sale.

Red-faced speedster

A police chauffeur has been fined &pound;350 ($840) for driving the Derbyshire chief constable David Coleman at nearly 97mph (156kmh) on England's M1 motorway, where the speed limit is 70mph. Kenneth Campbell had been driving Coleman home after the prominent anti-speeding campaigner had been to a function in London. In a court statement Coleman said he wouldn't be offering any excuses for his driver's speeding. Campbell was fined and docked four licence points.

Italians pair up

In the wake of the $2.57 billion gift from General Motors to Fiat to extricate itself from any contractual obligations to the struggling Italian car giant, Fiat has announced it's buying Maserati from Ferrari, a company in which Fiat already owns a 56 percent share. Behind the deal is a plan to put Maserati with Fiat's sluggish Alfa Romeo brand, the two co-operating technically and commercially. Maserati and Ferrari will also continue their technical and sales networks relationships.

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The size of your tyre is located on the sidewall of your tyre.It will be similar to the sample below.